Their first single, "Sultans of Swing", from their 1978 self-titled debut album, reached the top ten in the UK and US charts. It was followed by a series of hit singles including "Romeo and Juliet" (1981), "Private Investigations" (1982), "Twisting by the Pool" (1983), "Money for Nothing" (1985), and "Walk of Life" (1985). Their most commercially successful album, "Brothers in Arms" (1985), has sold more than 30 million copies worldwide; it was the first album to sell a million copies on compact disc (CD) and is the eighth-best-selling album in UK history. According to the Guinness Book of British Hit Albums, Dire Straits have spent over 1,100 weeks on the UK Albums Chart, the fifth most of all time.
Dire Straits' sound drew from various influences, including country, folk, the blues rock of J. J. Cale, and jazz. Their stripped-down sound contrasted with punk rock and demonstrated a roots rock influence that emerged from pub rock. There were several changes in personnel, with Mark Knopfler and Illsley being the only members who remained with the band for its whole history. After their first breakup in 1988, Mark Knopfler told Rolling Stone: "A lot of press reports were saying we were the biggest band in the world. There's not an accent then on the music, there's an accent on popularity. I needed a rest." They disbanded for good in 1995, after which Knopfler launched a solo career full-time. He has since declined numerous reunion offers.
Dire Straits were called "the biggest British rock band of the 80s" by Classic Rock magazine; their 1985–1986 world tour, which included a performance at Live Aid in July 1985, set a record in Australasia. Their final world tour from 1991 to 1992 sold 7.1 million tickets. Dire Straits won four Grammy Awards, three Brit Awards (Best British Group twice), two MTV Video Music Awards, and various other awards. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2018. Dire Straits have sold between 100 and 120 million units worldwide, including 51.4 million certified units, making them one of the best-selling music artists of all time.
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dire_Straits
Discography
Dire Straits (1978)
Communiqué (1979)
Making Movies (1980)
Love over Gold (1982)
Brothers in Arms (1985)
On Every Street (1991)
Private Investigation
Dire Straits Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The game commences
For the usual fee
Plus expenses
Confidential information
It's in a diary
This is my investigation
It's not a public inquiry
I go checking out the reports
Digging up the dirt
You get to meet all sorts
In this line of work
Treachery and treason
There's always an excuse for it
And when I find the reason
I still can't get used to it
And what have you got
At the end of the day?
What have you got
To take away?
A bottle of whisky
And a new set of lies
Blinds on a window
And a pain behind the eyes
Scarred for life
No compensation
Private investigations
The opening lyrics of Dire Straits' "Private Investigation" presents the theme of the song to the listener. The singer describes the perplexing nature of the work he undertakes, whilst charging his clients the standard fee, and expenses for all matters of confidentiality. The singer is conducting an investigation that is not open to public inquiry with the intention of unveiling confidential information.
The song describes the world of a private investigator. The singer digs through reports, and uncovers the grey areas of people's lives. He is met with justifications for deceit and betrayal, yet still finds himself struggling to cope with what he discovers. The song leaves the listener questioning the value of all the work that ultimately leads to no compensation and leaves the investigator scarred for life.
Line by Line Meaning
It's a mystery to me, the game commences
The nature of this investigation remains a mystery to me as it begins
For the usual fee, plus expenses
I charge my standard fee plus expenses for my services
Confidential information, it's a diary
The information I gather is confidential and kept in a diary
This is my investigation, it's not a public inquiry
This is a private investigation carried out by me and not a matter of public inquiry
I go checking out the reports, digging up the dirt
I am investigating by checking reports and gathering evidence
You get to meet all sorts in this line of work
This type of work allows you to meet all sorts of people
Treachery and treason, there's always an excuse for it
There is often a justification or explanation for acts of treachery and treason
And when I find the reason I still can't get used to it
Even when I find the reason for such acts, I can never fully accept them
And what have you got at the end of the day?
After all is said and done, what is the outcome?
What have you got to take away?
What is your final takeaway or conclusion?
A bottle of whiskey and a new set of lies
At the end of the day, all I have is a bottle of whiskey and a new collection of lies
Blinds on the window and a pain behind the eyes
I am left with the blinds drawn and a headache from the stress of the investigation
Scarred for life, no compensation
The emotional scars of this work run deep and there is no compensation or reparation that can make up for it
Private investigations
This is a private investigation - a lonely, difficult, and thankless job
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Mark Knopfler
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@express_shoes
Who listening in 2024?
@maggiehumphrey4771
I am...This song gives me goosebumps time and time again as soon as the guitar starts to play... Amazing music .. love it
@OdesaFilmStudio
Yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
@moniqueduchossois1958
869 personnes debiles
@user-qd9dv7zg5q
@@moniqueduchossois1958 922
@romeoalpha6461
already 987
@raffaelesacco6625
💋✌
@stephencollins7714
I never feel as though Dire Straits got the recognition that they so richly deserved. This song is an epic showcase of the bands amazing talent and is just as astounding today as it ever was. Most bands today would run out of ideas on such a long track but this just builds and builds to the amazing climax. Incredible musicians one and all. Deep respect.
@spinneborstel
They are Legendary. You can't uplift something that's allready on the top..
@burstcity3832
@@spinneborstel Thankyou for that, made me smile